US3637279A

US3637279A - Dual compartment paper safe

Info

Publication number: US3637279A
Application number: US30884A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth G Brooks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-04-22
Filing date: 1970-04-22
Publication date: 1972-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-25

Abstract

This invention is directed to a paper safe for use in a darkroom for exposing and developing photographic paper, i.e., a photosensitive sheet material. This paper safe comprises a first storage compartment, a second storage compartment and a cover. The first and second storage compartments are in a nesting or interlocking relationship with respect to each other so as to minimize the amount of light which can enter into the first storage compartment. The second storage compartment and the cover are in a nesting or interlocking relationship with respect to each other so as to minimize the amount of light which may enter into the second storage compartment. The first and second storage compartments are so arranged with respect to each other that it is easy to remove the photosensitive sheet material from the first storage compartment. The second storage compartment and the cover are so arranged with respect to each other that it is easy to place an exposed photosensitive sheet material in the second storage compartment.

Description

United States Patent Brooks [4 1 Jan. 25, 1972 [54] DUAL COMPARTMENT PAPER SAFE Kenneth G. Brooks, Route 1, Box 379, Vashon, Wash. 98070 [22] Filed: Apr. 22, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 30,884

[72] Inventor:

[52] U.S. Cl ..312/303, 190/16, 217/7 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47b 88/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..3l2/l98201, 183,

312/292, 298, 303, 327; 220/29, 23.83, DIG. 26;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 395,491 1/1889 Fuller .217/7 UX 2,115,253 4/1938 Christoffersen ..l90/16 Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Attorney-Thomas W. Secrest [5 7] ABSTRACT This invention is directed to a paper safe for use in a darkroom for exposing and developing photographic paper, i.e., a photosensitive sheet material.

This paper safe comprises a first storage compartment, a second storage compartment and a cover. The first and second storage compartments are in a nesting or interlocking relationship with respect to each other so as to minimize the amount of light which can enter into the first storage compartment. The second storage compartment and the cover are in a nesting or interlocking relationship with respect to each other so as to minimize the amount of light which may enter into the second storage compartment.

The first and second storage compartments are so arranged with respect to each other that it is easy to remove the photosensitive sheet material from the first storage compartment. The second storage compartment and the cover are so arranged with respect to each other that it is easy to place an exposed photosensitive sheet material in the second storage compartment.

15 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENIED JAN25 m2 SHEET 1 8F 4 PATENTED m2 51972 warm; 4

W geg we DUAL COMPARTMENT PAPER SAFE In the exposing and developing of photographic paper, i.e., photosensitive sheet material, a person works in a darkroom with a minimum of light. It is necessary to handle a piece of unexposed photographic paper, expose this paper and then store the exposed photographic paper. The unexposed photographic paper should be stored in a Iightproof paper safe. The exposed photographic paper should also be stored in a lightproof paper safe but in a compartment separate and distinct from the compartment for the unexposed photographic paper. The exposed photographic paper is stored for a period of time to allow enough exposed photographic paper to be collected for developing purposes.

I have worked in a darkroom for a considerable period of time and have encountered the problem of withdrawing unexposed photographic paper, exposing this photographic paper and then storing the exposed photographic paper prior to developing this photographic paper. From having worked in the darkroom, I have decided that a device which makes it possible to have quick and easy access to the stored and unexposed photographic paper and also quick and easy access to a compartment for storing the exposed photographic paper is desirable. Further, this device should have the means for keeping out stray light from the photosensitive sheet material or the photographic paper, prior to developing this photographic paper. I have reviewed the commercially available paper safes and also have made a patent search in regard to paper safes for photosensitive sheet material and have not found a paper safe which meets these requirements. For example, there is available a multishelf cabinet with a roll-type enclosure. This roll-type enclosure precludes the easy access to the unexposed photographic paper and also precludes the easy access to a storage compartment for storing the exposed photographic paper. There is available a paper safe having a single storage compartment with a rotatable cover for access to the unexposed photographic paper. However, this type of paper safe does not have a storage compartment for storing the exposed photographic paper. A third type of commercially available paper safe is a storage compartment having a sliding cover so that the photographic paper can be positioned in this storage compartment and then, when the cover is moved back and forth, a sheet of the photographic paper is made available to the user in the darkroom.

From having worked in the darkroom and having encountered the problem of securing unexposed photographic paper and also for storing exposed photographic paper, I have invented the following dual compartment paper safe for providing storage for both unexposed and exposed photographic paper or photosensitive sheet material; a paper safe which has quick and easy access to the unexposed photographic paper in a first storage compartment a paper safe which has quick and easy access for storing exposed photographic paper in a second storage compartment; a paper safe which keeps light out of the first storage compartment and the unexposed photographic paper and which keeps light out of the second storage compartment and the exposed photographic paper; a paper safe which has a first storage compartment and an opening to said first storage compartment for storing unexposed photographic paper and a paper safe which has a second storage compartment for storing exposed photographic paper and which second storage compartment has a distinct and separate opening from the opening to the first storage compartment; a paper safe which has the feature that only one compartment need be opened at a time thereby minimizing exposure of light to the photographic paper stored in the compartment; a paper safe having a plurality of storage compartments and which storage compartments are stacked one above the other thereby saving space on crowded work counters and in small darkrooms; a paper safe which has a low profile thereby lessening interference with wall-mounted items such as switches, timers and photographic accessories; a paper safe having a common hinge for the two storage compartments and a cover for one of the storage compartments thereby lessening the number of components required for these storage compartments and thereby simplifying the assembly of the paper safe; a paper safe having a front wall of the first storage compartment and which front wall is sloped so that the stack of paper can be shaken to a fanned position and thereby facilitating easy removal of each sheet of photographic paper from the first storage compartment; a paper safe having an open center area in the front wall of each compartment so as to facilitate finger and thumb access to the photographic paper stored in each compartment; a paper safe having a depressed center well at each open center area for facilitating access to the lower sheets of paper in the storage compartment; a paper safe having an upturned lip which protects the depressed center well from light leakage to the photographic paper in the storage compartment; and, a paper safe of an integral design similar to a flat box having a lower first storage compartment, an upper second storage compartment in nesting relationship with the lower first storage compartment and which upper second storage compartment functions as a cover for the lower first storage compartment and a cover for the upper second storage compartment and which cover is in a nesting relationship with the upper second storage compartment and, further, which first storage compartment and second storage compartment and cover rotate around a common hinge member.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will be more particular brought forth upon reference to the accompanying drawings, the detailed description of the invention and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is an isometric view looking at the dual compartment paper safe and shows the lower first storage compartment, the upper second storage compartment and the cover and which storage compartment and cover are in a partially opened posi- 7 tion;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dual compartment paper safe and shows the lift handles for separating the cover from the upper second storage compartment and also for separating the upper second storage compartment from the lower first storage compartment;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the dual compartment paper safe;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view looking down on the dual compartment paper safe;

FIG. 5 takenon line 5-5 of FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view and illustrates the lower first storage compartment, the upper second storage compartment and the cover;

FIG. 6 is vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view of this dual compartment paper safe and illustrates the upper second storage compartment rotated up and away from the lower first storage compartment for access to said first lower storage compartment; I

FIG. 7 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view and illustrates the cover rotated up and away from the upper second storage compartment for access to said upper second storage compartment;

FIG. 8 taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 2 and also line 8-8 of FIG. 4, is a fragmentary lateral cross-sectional view illustrating the lower first storage compartment, the upper second storage compartment and the cover;

FIG. 9, taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 3 and line 9-9 of FIG. 4,

is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view il-.

lustrating the front portion of the lower first storage compartment, the upper second storage compartment and the cover;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating the back of the cover and the hinge barrel on the back of the cover;

FIG. 1], taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 10, is'a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view of the back of the cover and illustrates the hinge barrel;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view illustrating the back of the upper second storage compartment;

FIG. 13, taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12, is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rear of the upper second storage compartment and illustrates the hinge.

barrel,

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view of the rear of the lower first storage compartment and illustrates the hinge barrel;

FIG. 15, taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rear of the lower first storage compartment and illustrates the hinge barrel; and,

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the back of the dual compartment paper safe and illustrates the lower first storage compartment, the upper second storage compartment and the cover and the hinge pin for joining the hinge barrel of said compartments and cover.

in the drawings, and, in particular, see FIG. 1, there is illustrated the paper safe 20 having a lower receptacle 22, an upper receptacle 24 and a cover 26.

The lower receptacle 22 comprises a housing for storing sheet material such as unexposed photographic paper or photosensitive paper. The lower receptacle 22 has a front wall 28, sidewalls 30, and a rear wall 32.

In the front wall 28 there is a break in the wall which defines an access opening 34. The access opening 34 may be considered to be a discontinuous region in the front wall 28. On each side of the access opening 34 and sloping downwardly from the upper part of the front wall 28 there is a paper corbeling plane 36. The lower receptacle 22 has a base 38 between the sidewalls 30, the rear wall 32 and the corbeling plane 36. In FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 it is seen that the base 38 slopes downwardly as it goes from the rear wall 32 toward the front wall 28 or, another way of phrasing this is to say that the base 38 slopes upwardly upon going from the paper corbeling plane 36 to the rear wall 32.

in FIG. 1 it is seen that the lower part of the access opening 34 is below the level of the base 38 and that in this discontinuous region of the front wall 28 there is a wall 40 depending downwardly from the base 38. The lower part of the wall 40 connects with a depressed thumb-well 42, see FIG. 1 and also I FIGS. -7. The depressed thumb-well base 42 is substantially flat and horizontal. Then, the front wall 28 in the discontinuous region slopes downwardly at the sloping base 44 and connects with the depressed thumb-well base 42 for ease of removal of the photosensitive sheet material or the photographic paper. The depressed thumb-well has sides 45.

The base 38 sloping from the rear wall 32 toward the front wall 28 and the paper corbeling plane 36, in conjunction with the access opening 34 make it possible to easily remove one sheet of paper 46 from the lower storage compartment of the lower receptacle 22.

Projecting forwardly of the front wall 28 is an integral front base flange 48. On the main part of the sidewalls 30 there is an outwardly projecting and integral side base flange 50. At the rear of the sidewalls 30 the side base flange S0 slopes upwardly at 52.

It is seen, see FIG. 1, that the front part of the sidewalls 30 is l recessed at 54 to form a step. Then, at 54 the sidewall 30 rises upwardly at 56 to meet the upper edge of said sidewall 30.

in FIGS. 14 and 15, there is illustrated the hinge for the lower receptacle 22. In FIG. there is shown the rear wall 32. On the back or outside surface of the rear wall 32 and near the upper edge, there is a hinge barrel support 60 which is of a unitary construction with the rear wall 32. Also, projecting upwardly and outwardly from the hinge barrel support 60 are a plurality of spaced-apart hinge barrels 62. The hinge barrels 62 have aligned passageways 64 so that all of the hinge barrels 62 can receive a pin or a shaft.

In FIG. 15 it is seen that the sloping side base flange 52 does not slope all the way to the top edge of the rear wall 32 but is depressed or terminates somewhat below the top edge of the rear wall 32. l have found this to be desirable from the standpoint of hinging together the lower receptacle 22, the upper receptacle 24 and the cover 26.

In regard to the upper receptacle 24, it is to be rcmcm hcrcd that the lower receptacle 22 and the upper receptacle 24 are to be in a nesting relationship so that with the upper receptacle 24 lowered over the lower receptacle 22 that substantially all light is prevented from entering the lower storage compartment and thereby harming the photographic paper or the photosensitive sheet material. The upper receptacle 24 comprises a front wall 70 and two spaced-apart sidewalls 72 and a first downwardly directed rear wall 74 and a second upwardly directed rear wall 76. The upper receptacle 24 has base 78.

The front wall 70 at its upper edge meets with a unitary ledge 80. The ledge slopes upwardly from the front wall 70. Then, the ledge 80 meets with an upper front wall 82.

in the upper front wall 82 there is a discontinuous region comprising an access opening 84. The upper edge of the upper front wall 82, on each side of the access opening 84, slopes backwardly in a ledge 86. Then, the ledge 86 meets with a downwardly sloping paper corbeling plane 88.

The base 78 meets with the rear of the paper corbeling plane 88. Also the base 78 is above the upper edge of the front wall in the access opening 84. There is a downwardly depending front wall 90 connecting with the base 78 in the region of the access opening 84. The wall 90 connects with a base 92. There slopes downwardly and rearwardly from the front part of the access opening 84 a sloping base 94. On each side of the access opening 84 there is a connecting upper front wall 82, the ledge 86, the paper corbeling planes 88, the base 78, the wall 90, the base 92 and the sloping base 94.

The sidewall 72 has an upwardly sloping bottom rear edge 98. The interior dimensions of the upper receptacle 24 are slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the lower receptacle 22 so that the upper receptacle 24 slides over the lower receptacle 22 or the lower receptacle 22 nests within the upper receptacle 24. When the upper receptacle 24 is lowered over the lower receptacle 22, the upwardly sloping bottom rear edge 98 or the upper receptacle 24 is adjacent to the side base flange 52 of the lower receptacle 22.

In the upper receptacle 24, the base 78, the front wall 70, the upwardly directed rear wall 76 and the two spaced-apart sidewalls 72 define a second storage compartment or an upper storage compartment 100.

in FIGS. 12 and 13 there is illustrated the hinge mechanism of the upper receptacle 24. it is seen that on the outer surface of the downwardly projecting rear wall 74 there are a plurality of spaced-apart hinge barrels 102 having aligned passageways 104. In the assembled state with the upper receptacle 24 positioned above the lower receptacle 22 the aligned passageways 104 in the hinge barrels 102 are aligned with the aligned passageways 64 in the hinge barrels 62.

On the front wall 70 of the upper receptacle 24 and, facing this front wall 70, there is a left lower lift handle 106.

The upper part of the sidewalls 72 of the upper receptacle 24 is recessed to define a shoulder 108 and a recessed upper sidewall 110 for receiving the sidewall of the cover 26, in a nesting relationship.

The cover 26 comprises a top 112, a depending front wall 114, depending sidewalls 116, and a depending rear wall 118.

in the figures, it is seen that the depending front wall 114 depends farther down than the depending sidewalls 116. The depending front wall 114 depends over the upper front wall 82 of the upper receptacle 24, and the lower edge of this depending front wall 114 may rest upon the ledge 80 of the upper receptacle 24. Also, it is seen that the depending sidewalls 116 depend down so as, when the cover 26 is in a nesting relationship with the upper receptacle 24. that the depending sidewalls I16 cover the recessed upper sidewalls 110 of the upper receptacle 24 and, the lower edge of the depending sidewalls 116 may rest upon the shoulder 108. Also, it is seen that the depending rear wall 118 of the cover 112 depends over the second upwardly directed rear wall 76 of the upper receptacle 24 and covers said wall 76. In FIGS. 10 and 11 it is seen that there depends downwardly from the depending rear wall 118 a multiplicity of spaced-apart hinge barrels 120 and that these hinge barrels 120 have aligned passageways 122.

The inside dimensions of the cover 26, i.e., the inside dimensions between the depending sidewalls 116 and between the depending front wall 114 and the depending rear wall 1 18, are slightly greater than the outside dimensions between the recessed upper sidewalls 110 and also between the upper front wall 82 and the second upwardly directed rear wall 76 so that the cover 26 is in a nesting relationship with the upper receptacle 24. This aids in having a lighttight relationship between the cover 26 and the upper receptacle 24 so that light cannot readily penetrate into the upper storage compartment 100 of the upper receptacle 24. Now, in the assembled relationship of the upper receptacle 24 positioned over and in a nesting relationship with the lower receptacle 22 and the cover 26 positioned above and in a nesting relationship with the upper receptacle 24, it is seen that the

passageways

64, 104 and 122 in the hinge barrels 62, 102 and 120 are aligned and that a hinge pin 126 may pass through all of these aligned passageways so as to form an integral dual compartment paper safe.

On the depending front wall 114 of the cover 26 and, when facing the cover 26, there is a right upper lift handle 128. in the drawings, it is seen that the left lower lift handle 106 and the right upper lift handle 128 are offset from each other so that when a party, working in the darkroom, wants to remove a piece of photosensitive paper or photosensitive sheet material from the lower compartment 46, that this person can readily lift upwardly on the left lower lift handle 106 so as to raise the upper receptacle 24 and reach into the lower receptacle 22 to remove the piece of photosensitive sheet material or photosensitive paper. Now, after the person has exposed the photosensitive sheet material, he may wish to place this in the upper storage compartment 100 so he lifts upwardly on the right upper lift handle 128 so as to raise the cover 26 so that he can place the exposed photosensitive sheet material in the upper storage compartment 100.

In the construction of this dual compartment paper safe it is seen that there are recessed walls, depending walls and a flanged space so that when there is photosensitive sheet material in the lower compartment 46 or in the upper storage compartment 100 that almost all of the light is excluded from going into these

storage compartments

46 and 100 and thereby harming or damaging the photosensitive sheet material or photosensitive paper. Further, with regard to the hinge construction and the hinge barrels, it is seen'that by using one metal pin and having the hinge barrels arranged in the manner illustrated and described that it is possible to rotate the upper receptacle 24 with respect to the lower receptacle 22 or to rotate the cover 26 with respect to the upper receptacle 24 or, if desired, to rotate the cover 26, the upper receptacle 24 and the lower receptacle 22 simultaneously with respect to each other. In other words, it is possible to gain access to the lower compartment 46 without exposing the upper storage compartment 100 to light or it is possible to gain access to the upper storage compartment 100 without exposing the lower compartment 46 to light.

Generally speaking, the color of this dual compartment paper safe will be black so as to absorb any stray light in the darkroom. The material of construction for this dual compartment paper safe may be many such as sheet metal, plastic, wood or other suitable material, even pulp paper forms into the appropriate configuration.

Further, it is to be realized that in the manufacture of this dual compartment paper safe that the manufacturer may wish to use various angles, various sizes of lower receptacle 22, upper receptacle 24 or cover 26, or to use various designs without deviating from the disclosure and spirit of this invention. For example, a manufacturer may wish to manufacture this dual compartment paper safe to use photosensitive paper of the 5 by 7 inches size, or the 8 by l 1 inches size or the H by 14 inches size, or another suitable size.

In view of the foregoing description of my invention I hereby claim:

1. A safe for storing and dispensing a photosensitive sheet material, said safe comprising:

a. a first storage compartment and a cover;

b. said first storage compartment having side and end walls and a bottom;

c. said bottom being below the upper edges of the side and end walls so as to form a recess for receiving said sheet material;

d. said cover having a top, and depending side and end walls;

e. the interior dimensions between the sidewalls of the cover and end walls of the cover being slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the sidewalls of the first storage compartment and the end walls of the first storage compartment so that said cover fits over said first storage compartment in a nesting relationship to exclude light entering into said first storage compartment;

f. a means to allow said cover and said first storage compartment to be rotated with respect to each other for opening and closing said safe;

g. a part of the front wall of said first storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said first storage compartment; and

h. said front wall in the discontinuous region being below the bottom of said first storage compartment to provide a depressed thumb-well.

2. A safe according to claim 1 and comprising:

a. said front wall of the first storage compartment on its inner face sloping downwardly and backwardly to the bottom of the first storage compartment to form an inclined plane for the corbeling of said sheet material.

3. A safe according to claim 2 and comprising:

a. the front end wall of said cover being of sufficient length, when the cover and the first storage compartment are in a completely closed position, for said front end wall to cover said access opening to prevent light entering said first storage compartment; and,

b. said means being a hinge juxtapositioned near the rear walls of said first storage compartment and said cover.

4. A safe for storing and dispensing a photosensitive sheet material, said safe comprising:

a. a first storage compartment and a cover;

b. said first storage compartment having said and end walls and a bottom;

d. said cover having a top, and depending side and end walls;

e. the interior dimensions between the sidewalls of the cover and end walls of the cover being slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the sidewalls of the first storage compartment and the end walls of the first storage compartment so that said cover fits over said first storage compartment in a relationship to exclude light entering into said first storage compartment;

a means to allow said cover sand said first storage compartment to be rotated with respect to each other for opening and closing said safe;

g. the major part of the bottom of the first storage compartment sloping downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall; and,

h. the minor part of the bottom of the first storage compartment sloping downwardly from the back of the front wall to the rear wall to form an inclined plane for the corbeling of said sheet material.

5. A safe according to claim 4 and comprising:

a. a part of the front wall of said first storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said first storage compartment; and,

b. said front wall in the discontinuous region being below the bottom of said first storage compartment to provide a depressed thumb-well.

6. A safe according to claim 5 and comprising:

a. the front end wall of said cover being of sufficient length, when the cover and the first storage compartment are in a material, said safe comprising:

a. a first storage compartment, a second storage compartment and a cover;

b. said first storage compartment having side and end walls and a bottom;

c. said bottom being below the upper edges of the side and end walls so as to form a recess for receiving; said sheet material;

d. said second storage compartment having side and end walls and a bottom;

e. said bottom of the second storage compartment being below the upper edges of the side and end walls so as to form a recess for receiving said sheet material;

f. said cover having a top, and depending side and end walls;

g. the interior dimensions between the sidewalls of the second storage compartment and the end walls of the second storage compartment being slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the sidewalls of the first storage compartment and the end walls of the first storage compartment so that said second storage compartment fits over said first storage compartment in a nesting relationship to exclude light entering into said first storage compartment;

h. the interior dimension between the sidewalls of the cover and end walls of the cover being slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the sidewalls of the second storage compartment and the end walls of the second storage compartment so that said cover fits over said second storage compartment in a nesting relationship to exclude light entering into said second storage compartment;

. a means to allow said cover, said first storage companment and second storage compartment to be rotated with respect to each other for opening and closing said safe;

j. a part of the front wall of said second storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said second storage compartment; and,

k. said front wall in the discontinuous region being below the bottom of said second storage compartment to provide a depressed thumb-well.

8. A safe according to claim 7 and comprising:

a. said front wall of the second storage compartment on its inner face sloping downwardly and backwardly to the bottom of the second storage compartment.

9. A safe according to claim 8 and comprising:

a. the front end wall of said cover being of sufficient length, when the cover and the second storage compartment are in a completely closed position, for said front end wall to cover said access opening to prevent light entering said second storage compartment; and,

b. said means being a hinge juxtapositioned near the rear walls of said second storage compartment and said cover.

10. A safe according to claim 7 and comprising:

a. the major part of the bottom of the first storage compartment sloping downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall; and,

b. the minor part of the bottom of the first storage compartment sloping downwardly from the back (to) of the front wall to the rear wall to form an inclined plane for the corbeling of said sheet material.

11. A safe according to claim 10 and comprising:

a. a part of the front wall of said first storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said first storage compartment; and.

12. A safe accordin to claim 11 and comprising: a. the front end wafi of said cover being of suf ictent length,

when the cover and the first storage compartment are in a completely closed position, for said front end wall to cover said access opening to prevent light entering said first storage compartment; and,

13. A safe according to claim 12 and comprising:

a. a part of the front wall of said second storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said second storage compartment; and,

b. said front wall in the discontinuous region being below the bottom of said second storage compartment to provide a depressed thumb-well.

14. A safe according to claim 13 and comprising:

a. said front wall of the second storage compartment on its inner face sloping downwardly and backwardly to the bottom of the second storage compartment to form an inclined plane for the corbeling of said sheet material.

15. A safe according to claim 14 and comprising:

Claims

1. A safe for storing and dispensing a photosensitive sheet material, said safe comprising: a. a first storage compartment and a cover; b. said first storage compartment having side and end walls and a bottom; c. said bottom being below the upper edges of the side and end walls so as to form a recess for receiving said sheet material; d. said cover having a top, and depending side and end walls; e. the interior dimensions between the sidewalls of the cover and end walls of the cover being slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the sidewalls of the first storage compartment and the end walls of the first storage compartment so that said cover fits over said first storage compartment in a nesting relationship to exclude light entering into said first storage compartment; f. a means to allow said cover and said first storage compartment to be rotated with respect to each other for opening and closing said safe; g. a part of the front wall of said first storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said first storage compartment; and h. said front wall in the discontinuous region being below the bottom of said first storage compartment to provide a depressed thumb-well.

2. A safe according to claim 1 and comprising: a. said front wall of the first storage compartment on its inner face sloping downwardly and backwardly to the bottom of the first storage compartment to form an inclined plane for the corbeling of said sheet material.

3. A safe according to claim 2 and comprising: a. the front end wall of said cover being of sufficient length, when the cover and the first storage compartment are in a completely closed position, for said front end wall to cover said access opening to prevent light entering said first storage compartment; and, b. said means being a hinge juxtapositioned near the rear walls of said first storage compartment and said cover.

4. A safe for storing and dispensing a photosensitive sheet material, said safe comprising: a. a first storage compartment and a cover; b. said first storage compartment having said and end walls and a bottom; c. said bottom being below the upper edges of the side and end walls so as to form a recess for receiving said sheet material; d. said cover having a top, and depending side and end walls; e. the interior dimensions between the sidewalls of the cover and end walls of the cover being slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the sidewalls of the first storage compartment and the end walls of the first storage compartment so that said cover fits over said first storage compartment in a nesting relationship to exclude light entering into said first storage compartment; f. a means to allow said cover sand said first storage compartment to be rotated with respect to each other for opening and closing said safe; g. the major part of the bottom of the first storage compartment sloping downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall; and, h. the minor part of the bottom of the first storage compartment sloping downwardly from the back of the front wall to the rear wall to form an inclined plane for the corbeling of said sheet material.

5. A safe according to claim 4 and comprising: a. a part of the front wall of said first storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said first storage compartment; and, b. said front wall in the discontinuous region being below the bottom of said first storage compartment to provide a depressed thumb-well.

6. A safe according to claim 5 and comprising: a. the front end wall of said cover being of sufficient length, when the cover and the first storage compartment are in a completely closed position, for said front end wall to cover said access opening to prevent light entering said first storage compartment; and, b. said means being a hinge juxtapositioned near the rear walls of said first storage compartment and said cover.

7. A safe for storing and dispensing a photosensitive sheet material, said safe comprising: a. a first storage compartment, a second storage compartment and a cover; b. said first storage compartment having side and end walls and a bottom; c. said bottom being below the upper edges of the side and end walls so as to form a recess for receiving said sheet material; d. said second storage compartment having side and end walls and a bottom; e. said bottom of the second storage compartment being below the upper edges of the side and end walls so as to form a recess for receiving said sheet material; f. said cover having a top, and depending side and end walls; g. the interior dimensions between the sidewalls of the second storage compartment and the end walls of the second storage compartment being slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the sidewalls of the first storage compartment and the end walls of the first storage compartment so that said second storage compartment fits over said first storage compartment in a nesting relationship to exclude light entering into said first storage compartment; h. the interior dimension between the sidewalls of the cover and end walls of the cover being slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the sidewalls of the second storage compartment and the end walls of the second storage compartment so that said cover fits over said second storage compartment in a nesting relationship to exclude light entering into said second storage compartment; i. a means to allow said cover, said first storage compartMent and second storage compartment to be rotated with respect to each other for opening and closing said safe; j. a part of the front wall of said second storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said second storage compartment; and, k. said front wall in the discontinuous region being below the bottom of said second storage compartment to provide a depressed thumb-well.

8. A safe according to claim 7 and comprising: a. said front wall of the second storage compartment on its inner face sloping downwardly and backwardly to the bottom of the second storage compartment.

9. A safe according to claim 8 and comprising: a. the front end wall of said cover being of sufficient length, when the cover and the second storage compartment are in a completely closed position, for said front end wall to cover said access opening to prevent light entering said second storage compartment; and, b. said means being a hinge juxtapositioned near the rear walls of said second storage compartment and said cover.

10. A safe according to claim 7 and comprising: a. the major part of the bottom of the first storage compartment sloping downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall; and, b. the minor part of the bottom of the first storage compartment sloping downwardly from the back of the front wall to the rear wall to form an inclined plane for the corbeling of said sheet material.

11. A safe according to claim 10 and comprising: a. a part of the front wall of said first storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said first storage compartment; and, b. said front wall in the discontinuous region being below the bottom of said first storage compartment to provide a depressed thumb-well.

12. A safe according to claim 11 and comprising: a. the front end wall of said cover being of sufficient length, when the cover and the first storage compartment are in a completely closed position, for said front end wall to cover said access opening to prevent light entering said first storage compartment; and, b. said means being a hinge juxtapositioned near the rear walls of said first storage compartment and said cover.

13. A safe according to claim 12 and comprising: a. a part of the front wall of said second storage compartment being discontinuous so as to provide an access opening to said second storage compartment; and, b. said front wall in the discontinuous region being below the bottom of said second storage compartment to provide a depressed thumb-well.

14. A safe according to claim 13 and comprising: a. said front wall of the second storage compartment on its inner face sloping downwardly and backwardly to the bottom of the second storage compartment to form an inclined plane for the corbeling of said sheet material.

15. A safe according to claim 14 and comprising: a. the front end wall of said cover being of sufficient length, when the cover and the second storage compartment are in a completely closed position, for said front end wall to cover said access opening to prevent light entering said second storage compartment; and, b. said means being a hinge juxtapositioned near the rear walls of said second storage compartment and said cover.